She shook her head ever so slightly and swallowed loudly.
Sonya realized Yolanda hadn’t been telling the truth, but for some reason, this last question about the Bat’s request for information left her silent and unsure.
“Do you trust me, Yolanda?”
“I don’t know,” she said, once again looking all around her.
“Look at me, Yolanda. Look at me.” Sonya leaned in closer and looked directly into the young woman’s eyes. “Do you see my eyes?”
She nodded.
“Keep looking into my eyes, Yolanda, and trust that I wish you no harm. You trust me?”
Again, she nodded.
“We’re locked in together.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me, Yolanda. I have control of you now. You’re talking to me, Sonya, and as a vampire, I’ve put you under hypnosis. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Her eyes were glazed over, seeing nothing in front of her.
“And everything you will say from now on will be the truth, won’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me who you really are and tell me what you want from the Empress.”
“My name is Yolanda Yee from the Guizhou province of China.”
“Do you have a sister?”
“No. I am an only child.”
“Do you work for the Bat?”
She shook her head.
“What do you know of him?”
“I’ve been looking for him. He is a mythical creature with extraordinary powers. To get our hands on him would allow us to use him as a weapon.”
“And why are you looking for the Empress? Why are you after Sonya Song?”
“It has been rumored that she may have become a vampire. If this is so, our government may be able to use her, were I unable to find the Bat.”
“Your government has used you as a spy,” Sonya said.
Yolanda remained silent.
“Okay. I think you’ve done enough.” She grasped the young woman’s shoulder and inched closer, their noses almost touching. “Tell me that you understand and will obey the following.”
Yolanda nodded.
“You will not remember seeing me as a vampire.”
“Yes.”
